The Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), led by renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, has issued a strong call to action, demanding the immediate prosecution of hundreds of individuals arrested in connection with violent crimes in Benue State.
In a statement released today, ASCAB expressed grave concern over what it described as a “culture of impunity” surrounding the wave of killings, kidnappings, and armed attacks that have plagued the state. Despite numerous arrests by the Nigeria Police Force and local security outfits, the group noted that the vast majority of suspects remain uncharged and untried.
“Between January and June 2025 alone, dozens of suspects have been apprehended, including 43 suspected killers in the last 10 days,” said Falana. “Yet, there has been no meaningful prosecution. This failure to act sends a dangerous message that mass murderers can operate without consequence.”
ASCAB cited several high-profile arrests, including:
The December 2024 arrest of 273 suspects linked to capital crimes.
The January 2024 discovery of an illegal firearms factory and seizure of weapons.
The April 2025 arrest of three herders over the killing of 11 people in Otobi.
The June 2025 capture of suspected kidnappers in Otukpo with ransom money.
Despite these developments, ASCAB lamented that no significant legal proceedings have followed. The group also criticized recent remarks by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, suggesting that local residents were harboring attackers—calling the statement “an unacceptable attempt to shift blame onto victims.”
Falana urged the Benue State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Fidelis Mnyim, to take immediate steps to initiate prosecutions. “The right to life, enshrined in Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution, is meaningless if the state fails to punish those who violate it,” he said.